Access control is the process of granting or denying physical or logical access to systems or resources. The goal of the system is to ensure that only authorised individuals are able to access systems and resources, while simultaneously preventing unauthorised access.
There are many reasons both commercially and residential why an organisation might need to control access to its resources: to protect information, to restrict physical access to areas, to ensure that only authorised personnel can make changes to systems, or to comply with regulations.
Organisations that need to control access to their resources should carefully consider the different methods and choose the one that best meets their needs.
What are the examples?
There are a variety of different types of systems that can be used in order to restrict access to a particular area. The most common type is a key card system. In a key card system, a card is issued to each person that is allowed access to the area. The card has a magnetic strip on the back that is scanned by a reader in order to grant access. Other types of systems include keypads, biometric systems, and proximity cards.
Key products for physical access control systems can include:
- Door access
- Turnstiles
- Revolving doors
- Locker access
- Portable access control systems (PortACC)
- Ticketing
- Car parking
- Bollard and barriers
This list is not exclusive and as technology evolves more key products are evolving in order to protect businesses. From a digital standpoint there is also various security software that provides access control for data.
What types of Businesses use these systems?
Access Control is used in a variety of businesses, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Retail stores
- Restaurants
- Banks
- Hotels
- Offices
- Gyms
What are the benefits?
An access control system can provide many benefits, including:
- Controlling who has access to a facility or property
- Restricting access to certain areas
- Ensuring that only authorised personnel have access to certain areas or information
- Reducing the risk of theft or unauthorised access
- Preventing unauthorised entry into a property or facility
- Ensuring the safety of personnel and property.
How to implement Access Control
The approach you take to implementing will vary depending on the specific needs of your organisation. However, some tips on how to implement access control include:
- Define your security requirements
Before you can start implementing access control, you first need to define your security requirements. What kind of data do you need to protect, and what are the specific access requirements for each user or group of users? - Assess your current security posture
Once you have defined your security requirements, you need to assess your current security posture and identify any gaps that need to be addressed. This will help you determine the specific security controls you need to implement in order to meet your security goals. - Implement security control
Once you have identified the security controls you need to implement, you can start implementing them. This may include things like firewalls, authentication systems, and authorization mechanisms. - Manage user access
Once you have implemented your security controls, you need to manage user access. This includes granting access to the appropriate data and resources, and revoking access when it is no longer needed. - Regularly review and update your security controls
it is important to regularly review and update your security controls to ensure that they are still effective in meeting your security requirements. This may include things like changing passwords, updating software, and revising access policies.
What does the future look like?
There is no one definitive answer to the question of the future of access control systems. However, some possible scenarios include increased reliance on biometric authentication methods, such as fingerprint or retinal scans and the proliferation of smart devices, which could be used to control access to buildings.
If you’re looking to implement access control systems within your business, get in contact with us today.
